Doctor Satisfaction Rankings Drop With Low Antibiotic Prescribing

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People often ask their doctors for antibiotics when it isn’t necessary. For instance, the powerful medicine cannot treat viral infections like the common cold, flu, bronchitis, most sore throats, and ear and sinus infections.

In a new study published in the British Journal of General Practice, researchers from King’s College London found that decreasing antibiotic prescribing is linked with lower patient satisfaction in the National Health Service (NHS) General Practice Patient Survey. The results found that when general practitioners (GP) reduce antibiotic prescribing by 25%, there is a five to six point reduction on GP satisfaction rankings. It is the first national patient experience survey to reveal antibiotic prescribing patterns of GP practices.

For the study, the researchers examined records from 7,800 general practices in the NHS GP Patient Survey. The survey measured patient satisfaction with their GP and GP practice. The survey found that antibiotic prescribing played a large role in the patient experience. When a practice prescribed 25% fewer antibiotics than the national average, the national GP satisfaction rankings dropped from the 50th percentile to the 44th and 45th percentile.

The GP will often prescribe fewer antibiotics to help prevent antibiotic-resistant bacteria. When you take antibiotics when you don’t need them, they may not work when you do need them. Every time you take antibiotics, the drug may not kill all the bacteria. The bacteria that remain will mutate and become harder to kill. The antibiotics therefore become resistant, and no longer work.

“GPs often feel pressured by patients to prescribe antibiotics and find it difficult to refuse a patient who asks for them,” explained lead study author Dr. Mark Ashworth, of the King’s Division of Health and Social Care Research. “GPs who are frugal in their antibiotic prescribing may need support to maintain patient satisfaction.”

Previous small-scale studies have found that when the patient feels the GP has listened to and carefully examined them; patient dissatisfaction about not receiving antibiotics is not an issue. Further research is necessary to verify if that scenario will help or occur in a busy GP practice.
A previous Public Health England study found that 51% of patients were prescribed unnecessary antibiotics by their GP’s for coughs and colds. In turn, there is a greater risk that bacteria will no longer be killed effectively by antibiotics.

The researchers point out that the study was observational, and therefore no final conclusions can be made about cause and effect from patient satisfaction of GPs who prescribe fewer antibiotics when they are not needed.

In the study, researchers also investigated other possible explanations of patient satisfaction in order to rule out factors that could influence the survey (like wishing to please patients). The research team checked each GP’s total prescription rate and costs of other drugs, including antidepressants, painkillers, and sleeping pills. There was a much smaller link between these drugs and patient satisfaction. Issues with GP access had also not been a factor with patients.

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Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as a diagnosis, treatment, preventive, or cure for any disease, disorder, or abnormal physical state, nor should it be considered a substitute for medical care from your doctor. On any matter relating to your health or well-being—and prior to undertaking any health-related activity—consult an appropriate health professional. The opinions herein are exactly that, they are the opinions of the author. Doctors Health Press and its employees are not responsible for medically unsupervised activities that could be harmful to your health. Results are not guaranteed*** and may vary from person to person***. All of the Doctors Health Press publications come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with your newsletter, you can simply cancel your subscription and receive a pro-rated refund on all undelivered issues. For our books and special reports, we will give you a full refund of your purchase price within 30 days of your order. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service.